Exploring the Kunisaki Peninsula with Walk Japan – Episode 944

In this solo episode of Amateur Traveler, I share the story of my recent walking trip through the Kunisaki Peninsula and Yufuin in Kyushu, Japan, with Walk Japan. This immersive journey took me past massive stone Buddhas, forest trails, rural villages, sacred shrines, and into steamy onsens — all while uncovering centuries of Japanese history and culture.

Episode Highlights

• Tour style: Small group, guided, culturally immersive walking tour with Walk Japan
• Geology: The Volcanic Kunisaki Peninsula was formed by Mt. Futago; radial valleys and stable terrain
• Historical sites: Usa Jingu Shrine, Kumano Magaibutsu, Fuki-ji Temple, Choan-ji
• Daily hikes: 4–7 km per day through ridges, forests, rice terraces, and Buddhist cave carvings
• Community engagement: Visit to Walk Japan’s rural revitalization project and local mushroom farm

Cultural Immersion Experiences

• Onsen ryokan stays: Traditional inns in Nakatsu, Fuki-no-to, and Yufuin
• Onsen etiquette: Bathing traditions, yukata, shared bathing, and cultural taboos
• Japanese meals: Multi-course kaiseki dinners explained in detail, plus chopstick do’s and don’ts

Practical Travel Tips

• Tour difficulty: Moderate – 13,000 steps/day, steep stairs, and natural trails
• Gear: Waterproof layers, ankle-support shoes, daypack, translation app
• Best seasons: Spring and fall (avoid summer heat and winter chill)
• Language: Less English in rural areas – guides are helpful

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Show Notes

• Hiking in Kyushu with Walk Japan
• Walk Japan – Kunisaki & Yufuin Walk
• Japanese Etiquette for your Trip to Japan
• A Day Trip from Fukuoka – Takachiho Gorge
• Related Episode: Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage (Ep. 739)
• Related Episode: Travel to Kyushu Japan – Episode 887
• Accomodations
  • Kogane, Sansou, Nakatsu
  • Ryokan Fukinoto
  • Enokiya Ryokan, Yufuin

Community

Hello Chris –

I wanted to express my appreciation for your wonderful curation of podcast guests. I first discovered your podcast about six years ago when I was planning my first trip to Japan and was trying to gather as much intel as possible before the voyage. Since then, your podcast has certainly helped my wishlist to grow! But also, more recently, I have relied heavily on your guests and their websites to plan my trips. Inspired by Croatia and She Roams About were invaluable in planning a multi-generational road trip in Croatia last summer and a trip to CDMX this spring. Since becoming a parent, my time for trip planning and research has diminished. I so appreciate your assistance in guiding me to valuable tools to make the planning that much easier, so that we can keep exploring distant, wonderful places.

Warmly,
Anne

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